Interior partition.



H. KLEIN.

INTERIOR PARTITION.

I APPLICATION FILED NOV. I3. I912. LQWAWU Patented Jan.15,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES 7 INVENTOR wazmm7 ig l 1 WITNESSES H. KLELN.

INTERIOR PARTITION. APPLICATION man rmv. 1-3. 1912.

Patentedl Jan.15,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES 2f 42 (Pee/Z H. KLEIN.

INTERIOR PARTITION.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13. I912.

Patented J an. 15, 1918.

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INVENTOR H. MUN. INTERIOR PARTI'TI'O'N APPLICATIQN FILED N1QV.|-3,. 1-912. L m wu Patented Jan.15,1918.

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WITNESSES fi V07 I 62 M f [(7; a? lj gdwy mw g llorney TED %TATE@ PATENT @FFMJFQ.

HENRY KLEIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

INTERIOR ranrrrroni' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY KLEIN, now a citizen of the United States of America, residingat New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful llm'provements in llnterior Partitions, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to certain improvements in and relating to interior partitions, and the like, for buildings, and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment from among other formations, arrangements and constructions within the spirit and scope of my invention. I

An object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in and relating to the oflice partition, or the like, illustrated by my Patent No. 956,642, dated May 3, 1910, and particularly for the provision of constructions and arrangements whereby standardized units can be made and completel finished in the factory, and kept in stoc for shipment knocked down, and so that such units can be readily fitted together, set up, and assembled to form complete finishedsurface partitions of various heights and lengths without necessitating the employment of skilled or expert labor to touch up, varnish or otherwise finish the surfaces of the partition after completion thereof, and without requiring high priced expert assistance insetting up and assembling such units to form the complete located partition.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in details of construction and in arrangements of parts, to reduce the cost of production, and to attain certain advantages in assembled removable ofiice partitions and the like.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying draw,-

Figure 1, shows part of a partition constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2, is a side elevation, partially in ver- Specifieation of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 13, 1912. Serial No. 731,218.

tical section taken longitudinally of the partition.

Fig. 3, is a vertical section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4, is a detail perspective of a lower or main post or pilaster, and of a main or lower filling or panel unit or section, shown separated from the post and partially broken away.

Fig. 5, is a section on the line 5-5, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6, is a section on the line 66, Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7, Fig. 1.

Fig. 8, is a perspective view of a detail.

F ig. 9, is a detail view illustrating cooperating interlocking formation of the side edges of the post extensions and the end edges of the horizontal rails of the partition extension top.

The main, lower or body part of the partition is made up of a series of similar posts or pilasters a, and a number of similar filling or panel sections or frames 6, closing the spaces between the posts and removably fitted thereto. These posts and sections are preferably mounted on a base or floor board or strip 1. This strip consists of a flat board resting on and if desired secured to the floor and having a central depressed groove 2,

throughout the length of its top face. The. lower edges of the posts and sections rest on the top faces of the strip at both sides of the groove. The lower ends of the posts can, if so desired, be formed withcentral depending projections or tongues 3, to enter said grooves; and the lower edges of the sections can also be formed with central depending tongues or projections 4, to enter said grooves. The lower ends of the posts are fixed to the fioor strip by angle or elbow irons or brackets 5, having their horizontal arms fixed to the strip and arranged in the groove thereof, and having their vertical arms fixed to the posts and engaging the central portions of the vertical side edges thereof so that these securing brackets will be concealed by the sections when fitted to the posts and floor strip.

The posts and sections are preferably of the same height and horizontal coupling irons 6, are removably secured on the top edges of the posts and sections. Each coupling iron is secured to and extends across the top edge of a post and onto the top edges lltld of the two sections fitting the post and is re-. lnovably secured to said sections by screws or the like.

The sections and posts are also secured together at theirupper ends by crown moldings 7, to stiffen and strengthen the partition and to provide the desired finish along the top edge of the body or lower portion of the partition.

lrhese crown moldings are provided in long lengths so as to be continuous across as many sections and posts as possible whereby unbroken or continuous portions of said moldings will bridge the joints between the posts and sections.

These moldings are preferably arranged along both sides of the partition and are applied thereto after the posts and sections are set up and fitted together. The crown moldings fit the side faces of the upper ends of the posts and sections and are removably secured thereto by horizontal screws 8, extending inwardly through the. molding and into the posts and sections. I preferably employ fiat head screws and after the moldings have'been secured by said screws, I cover and conceal the screw heads by flat strips 9, arranged longitudinally of the moldings and removably secured thereto.

The upper extremities of the posts and sections-are preferablyof the same transverse thickness so that their opposite side faces will be flush to receive the straight crown moldings that connect and secure the upper ends of the sections and posts together.

The posts are longitudinally hollow at their upper ends for the reception of post or pilaster extensions 10, where the partition is to be extended to the ceiling. Each post is internally, formed to longitudinally receive an extension 10, composed of a single stiif-bar or strip freely slidable longitudinally in the post for adjustment to the ceiling. These extensions when moved up to the desired height can be secured to the posts by angle brackets 11, fixed on the top end faces of the posts and having vertical arms extending up at the side faces .of the extensions and receiving removable horizontal screws entering the extensions and supporting the same as described in my Patent No. 956,642.

The upper extremities of the post lextensions 10, in the example illustrated, fit into and enter a grooved ceiling strip 12, arranged longitudinally of the partition and along the ceiling. This strip 12, can be lightly and removably secured to the ceiling to hold the same in place until the post extensions are fitted thereto, as these extensions will sup-port said strip.

The spaces between the post extensions are filled in by suitable means, such as frames, or panels composed of glass panes or sections 13, fitted to the opposite vertical edges of the post extensions and to the longitudinal edges of horizontal upper and lower rails 14, 15, fitted to and between thepost extensions.

The lower rails 15, rest longitudinally on the top edges of the'main partition sections between the posts, while the upper rails 14, are held and secured by upper crown mold ings 16, traversing. the opposite side faces of the post extensions and removably sccured thereto by screws or other means, and extending along the longitudinal side faces of the rails 14, and removably secured thereto by screws, orother means.

If spaces occur between the ceiling strip 12, and the uppercrown moldings 16, such spaces can be filled in by suitable material; I show removably-secured light boards 17, such as beaver boards, or the like, fitting the opposite edges of the ceiling strip and at their lower edges resting between the two opposite crown moldings.

Each main post is composed of a pair of longitudinal parallel side pieces 18, and means suitably and rigidly fixing said pieces the required distance apart.

In the particular example illustrated, a spacing block 19, is secured between the lower end portions of said pieces. Above the block 19, the pieces 18, are rigidly held in the required relative positions by stiff strong metal fasteners 20. The opposite edges of the pieces 18, are longitudinally rabbeted to form the longitudinal depressed flat seats or shoulders 21, throughout the lengths of the pieces. When the two pieces 18, are secured to form the post, their rabbeted edges coincide to provide the opposite longitudinal edges of the posts with comparatively wide grooves extending throughout the lengths thereof, to receive the vertical edges of the sections 6, of the partition. The floors of these groves are formed by the shoulders 21, and the metal fasteners .20, (except at the lower end of the post where the block 19, intervenes) extend-transversely between shoulders 21. Each fastener 20, consists of a flat length of strong sheet metal at its end portions having down turned spurs or prongs. These fasteners are arranged at intervals along and trans versely of the opposite edges of the post. The fasteners are uniform in length and traverse the open space between the pieces 18, and their end portions fit transversely. on the shoulders 21, and the prongs thereof are forced thereintoto secure and rigidly fasten said pieces. These fasteners accurately maintain the pieces in proper relation and the desired distance apart and form the edge walls of the longitudinal bore of the post in which the extension bar or post 10. is longitudinally adjustable and confined.

The posts can be quickly, accurately. and

economically constructed through the employment of these metal fasteners, and I produce a post of superior qualities; and I also avoid expensive cabinet and gluing operations such as are necessary where hollow posts are built up of four longitudinal strips, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

These posts can be made up and completely finished, and kept in stock, as said posts are similar and interchangeable and each constitutes a standardized unit, and the same is true of the extension posts or pilasters 10. Each main post unit includes an extension 10.

The panel or filling sections b, are also made up completely finished and kept in stock, as. said parts are similar and interchangeable and each constitutes a standardized unit, to fit any one of the posts.

Each section b, can comprise a desirable number of panels and frames therefor. lln the example illustrated, I show each section embodying two panel frames 22, one containing a Wood or other opaque panel 23, and

the other a glass or other transparent panel or pane 24. These panel frames 22, can be similar in size made from molding of the same dimensions. The two panel frames are separated by and secured in a chair-rail or midrail-forming molding 25, grooved at its lower and upper edges to receive thehorizontal top rail of the lower panel frame and the bottom rail of the upper panel frame. The mid-rail or chair-rail 25, forms a transverse strengthening and stiffening rail across the intermediate or central portion ofthe panel or filling section b.

The bottom rail of the lower panel frame 22, is secured to and between the bottom opposite-side finishing or wash board moldings or boards 26. These boards 26, are secured together and constitute the lower end of the .panel section or unit.

The top rail of the upper panel frame 22, is fitted in and secured to the stiff heavy top rail or bar 27, of the panel section or unit.

The crown moldings 7, are secured to this top rail 27, after the several units have been assembled to form the partition, and this top rail also forms the upper end of the panel section or unit of the desired transverse thickness to approximately equal the transverse thickness of the upper ends of the posts.

I am enabled to cut rails and moldings 26, 25 and 27 ,to exact lengths and thus successfully assemble the parts of and build individually complete interchangeable panel sections in the factory so that they can be kept ahead in stock, by utilizing a pair of similar stiles or strips 28, to form the opposite longitudinal or vertical edge portions of each panel section. These stiles conto stitute the essential supporting elements of panel section in a completed partition.

the panel section and extend throughout the out the lengths of their inner or adjoining edges to receive and center said filling elements and maintain them against lateral displacement from the panel section.

These central grooves in the stiles form the inner edge of each stile with a pair of arallel longitudinal shoulders, separated at y the groove, against which the end edges of the rails 25 and 26 tightly abut and to which they are secured, while between the various rails said shoulders are exposed, as the thickness of the panels and their frames are less than the thickness ofthe stiles.

The stiles are formed with parallel or fiat front and rear vertical side faces to form portions of the exposed side faces of the These stiles of the individually-complete panel sections or units are of a thickness to enter and snugly fit the opposite longitudinal sockets of the individually-complete post units when assembling the parts of a partition, but the width of the ex osed side faces of said stiles is considerably greater than the depth of said sockets, so that in the completed partition considerable portions of the widths of said side faces are located outside of said sockets to provide a desirable finish and conceal the joints between the panel and post unit's even though the units (where composed of wood) shrink unequally or the post units become somewhat Warped. The stiles of the sections will allow for considerable unevenness between the post and section units before exposing a crack between a post unit and a panel section unit.

The various completed units can be completely finished and surfaced (varnished, shellacked, or oiled and rubbed) before being shipped, inasmuch as the units can be assembled and put up to form the completed partition without the necessity of marring or injur ing the surface thereof and without leaving unfinished joints or surfaces. lBy practising my invention, the partition can be set up by almost any man who knows howto handle tools, and after completion, does not require the services of an expert surface finisher. A great saving in expense is efiected by so completing the units in the shop, that the partition can be shi, ped or forwarded knocked down and they? assem- 13c from the shop or factory for pointing upand surfacing. I am also thus enabled to ship knock down partitions to distant points where finishers could be secured only at pro- .hibitory expense.

The post extensions 10, are finished up complete in the shop and throughout their longitudinal edges are formed with 'central longitudinal beads or ribs 30, including removable sections for securing the panes of glass 13, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The upper and lower horizontal rails 14, 15, of the top extension of the partition are cut to exact lengths and finished in the shop. These upper and lower rails are preferably similar and interchangeable and their end edges are grooved in the shop, see 31, to fit and receive the beaded edges of the post extensions 10. One longitudinal edge of each rail 14, 15, is formed to receive a pane of glass and is provided with removable beads for securing the glass.

The longitudinal edges of the post extensions 10, are formed with longitudinal grooves 33, on both sides of the ribs 30,.and the end edges of each rail 14, 15', are formed with a pair of tongues 34, to enter said grooves 33, and present or maintain closed joints between said rails and the post extensions even though the parts may otherwise fit loosely or inaccurately, or may have shrunk where formed of wood.

After the main or body part of the partition has been set up and fixed, as hereinbefore described, the post extensions .10, are moved up into the ceiling strip and are secured to the main posts by the screws and brackets 11, as hereinbefore described.

The lower rails 15, are then slipped into place between the post extensions and rest on the top bars or rails 27, of the main partition. These rails 15, are not fastened or secured as the glass panes 13, will hold them in place. The upper crown moldings 16, which are provided in long lengths, can then be secured to the upper portions of the post extensions 10. The upper rails 14, can then he slipped down between the post extensions and secured at proper points by. screws passed thereinto through the crown moldings 16. The upper rails are supported by the upper crown moldings and are not secured'directly to the post extensions, when the structure is arranged according to my preferred embodiment. When the various parts have been thus secured the glass panes 3, can be secured in-the frames therefor i -rmed by parts 10, 14, 15.

he partition assembled and put up substantially as described can be readily taken down without marring or injuring the same, and as readily assembled and put up at some other point or locatlon.

It is evident that various changes, variations, and modifications might be resorted to, that parts might be omitted, and other constructions added, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and hence I do not wish to limit'myself to the-exact disclosure hereof but consider myself entitled to all such departures as fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is 1. A knock down partition comprising post units at their longitudinal vertical edges formed to receive and interlock with the vertical edges of filling section units, and individually complete filling section units of approximately uniform height with the post units and at their upper ends having top rails of approximately the same transverse thickness as the upper ends of the post units, and crown molding adapted to be removably secured to the side faces of the post units and said top rails and to be continuous across the joints between said section and post units.

" lock with filling section units, each post unit consisting of opposite .side longitudinal pieces arranged a distance apart to afford a space within the unit for an adjustable post extension, the longitudinal edges of said pieces being rabbete'd to form' longitudiml depressed shoulders, said pieces being secured'together in fixed relation by stifi fiat metal fasteners arranged. transversely between said pieces and at their ends fitting said shoulders and rigidly secured thereto.

3. A knock down partition on the like, comprising post units, each consisting of parallel longitudinal opposite side pieces spaced a distance apart and at their lower ends secured to a spacing block, the longitudinal edges of said pieces being rabbeted to form depressed seats with depressed shoulders, and flat metal fasteners arranged transversely of said units and secured to and rigidly connecting said pieces, each fastener at both ends having spurs driven into said pieces, the ends of said fasteners fitting said depressed shoulders.

4. A knock down partition or the like, comprising hollow post units formed at their vertical edges to removably receive and interlock with filling section units, each post unit consistingof opposite side longitudinal pieces arranged a distance apart to afford a space within the unit for an adjustable post extension, said pieces being secured together in fixed relation by stifl metal fasteners arranged transversely between said pieces and at their ends fitting and rigidly secured thereto.

5. A partition comprising post units provided with upward extensions, section units ada ted to fill the spaces between the posts,

of said rails being grooved to removably receive and straddle said longitudinal edges of said extensions and having tongues to removably enter said grooves, substantially as described.

6. A partition embodying vertically movable extension bars approximately throughout the lengths of their opposite longitudinal edges ribbed and rabbeted to receive the ends of panels and at the outer )ortions of said edges formed with longitudinal grooves, and removable bars forming the upper and lower rails to receive said panels, said bars extending between said extension bars and having their end edges vertically grooved to straddle said ribbed and rabbeted edges of said extension bars and formed with parallel ton ues to enter said grooves,-

substantially as escribed.

7. A knock-down partition comprising post units, provided with longitudinally adustable upward extensions, means to removably secure said e'xtenslons in the desired longitudinal adjustment, an upper crown molding connecting and traversin said extensions and removably secured thereto, and rail-forming bars removably fitting the edges of and extending between said extensions and cooperating therewith in forming panel frames, the bars forming the lower rails of said .frames removably resting on the main partition, and the bars forming the upper rails of said frames removably secured to and supported by said molding.

b. A knock down partition consisting of removable post units adapted to be secured at their lower ends, bodily removable panel sections of approximately the same length as said units and throughout their len ths removably interlocking therewith against lateral displacement, means for removably coupling the upper ends of the units and sections together against separation, said post units provided with removable extensions arranged-longitudinallv thereof and projecting upwardly therefrom and approximatel throughout tLe lengths of their opposite e ges formed to constitute the uprights of panel frames, removable cross bars extending between said extensions to form. the upper and lower rails of removable till= ing panels above said sections and between said extensions, the opposite edges of said several cross bars being similarly formed to transversely fit the edges of said extensions against lateral displacement without being supported by said'extensions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. HENRY KLEIN. Witnesses:

W. R. Tnoaarsox, F. G. Evans, 

